RIYADH: Oil and gas is the sector that could lead the change to increasing female participation in the workforce, said the author of a new report launched on Saturday night.
The Canadian Embassy hosted the launch of the report, “Energy: Driving force behind increasing female participation in the Gulf?”
The report is the result of collaboration between the Royal Bank of Canada Capital Markets and the Atlantic Council’s Global Energy Center. The author, Bina Hussein, was at the launch to discuss the report.
“The embassy is proud to launch the report in the Kingdom since promoting women’s economic empowerment and participation is one of Canada’s top priorities,” Aliya Mawani, head of the political and economic section, told Arab News. The report was launched earlier in Abu Dhabi.
The report also covers Qatar, the UAE, and Kuwait. Asked why Oman and Bahrain are not included, Hussein said countries were chosen on the basis of proven oil reserves, being major exporters, and stated intentions to implement reforms that could lead to major societal change.
Khlood A. Aldukheil, a well-known figure in the financial community, served as the moderator. She is the managing director of the Aldukheil Financial Group and the first Saudi woman to attain a CFA designation.
Talking about her report, Hussein said: “Energy is such an integral part of these Gulf economies that it has become part of the diversification process — and if there is one sector that could lead the change to increase female participation in the workforce, the oil and gas sector is it,” she said.
She said with reforms plans, the governments of the selected GCC countries are attempting to bring about similar changes in their economies, without necessarily decreasing the government’s influence or stake in the economies, and keeping the culture and traditions intact.
The report notes the progress in the Kingdom in expanding women’s rights in recent years and that statistically, women tend to be better educated than men.
During the question-and-answer session, everyone agreed the focus should not be just on getting more women into the energy sector, but into positions of leadership and influence in that sector.
Ata Subaity, a Shoura Council member, asked Hussein why she chose the subject when it is known that not many women, if any, are involved in the energy sector.
Hussein, also the associate director with the Global Energy Center, said it was because it is the backbone of the Saudi economy.
Princess Madawi bint Fahad Alfarhan Al-Saud, honorary president of Nafeh Charitable Society, said: “We have to bear in mind that many Saudi women have worked in the engineering sector for several years and some of them worked in jobs not available to men, such as in trams at the Princess Noura bint Abdulrahman University.”
She added the “Vision 2030 plan has made the legal systems safer for Saudi women to work in the energy sector.”
Nujood K. Almulla, a 24-year-old mechanical engineer, said: “The report on the role of women in the energy sector is both critical and timely, given the present circumstances in the Kingdom, including the projects that it has embarked upon.”
She said she feels self-fulfillment in working as energy systems analyst at the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center, “given the fact that the energy sector is the backbone of the economy.”
Oil and gas sector is key to increasing number of women in workforce: Report
Oil and gas sector is key to increasing number of women in workforce: Report
Saudi interior minister arrives in Egypt on official visit
CAIRO: Saudi Arabia’s interior minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif arrived in Egypt on Saturday evening on an official visit.
His trip is being made on the directives of the Kingdom’s leadership, Saudi Press Agency reported.
Prince Abdulaziz was received at Cairo International Airport by his Egyptian counterpart Major General Mahmoud Tawfiq and the Saudi ambassador to Egypt Saleh bin Eid Al-Hussaini.
Young Saudi paves way in tech, artificial intelligence
- Abdullah Hakeem is pursuing his dream to advance AI in the Kingdom
- His journey has led to his involvement in the upcoming Global AI Summit
RIYADH: As the Kingdom forges ahead in the tech industry, young Saudis like Abdullah Hakeem are playing a crucial role in shaping its future while inspiring others to follow in their footsteps.
The King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals graduate, 25, is tapping into the power of technology to bridge gaps, enhance communication, and empower communities.
Hakeem’s story began during his studies at KFUPM, where he quickly became a well-known figure among students for his inventive spirit. His first major project was a WhatsApp bot designed to enhance the platform’s functionality.
“It was a learning tool for me,” Hakeem told Arab News. “I applied new skills and implemented user-suggested features, evolving it based on feedback.”
The bot garnered over 1,000 users, primarily students at the university.
One notable challenge was maintaining the bot’s efficiency amid numerous simultaneous requests. “I overcame this by employing various technical solutions and continuously refining them over time,” he explained.
Understanding the value of community-building, he founded around 30 WhatsApp groups that fostered connections among students interested in development and skill enhancement.
Contributing to the success of my country is a key goal for me.
Abdullah Hakeem, SDAIA strategic competitiveness specialist
Hakeem also organized competitions to encourage peers to challenge themselves and learn. “Bringing people together to learn and grow has always been my passion,” he added.
This commitment to community engagement facilitated a collaborative environment in which students could share knowledge and support one another.
His internship at Takamul Technologies in 2022 marked a pivotal moment in his career. Tasked with resolving a critical issue on the company’s website, he reduced the load time of the 3D section from a cumbersome 70MB to a lightning-fast 100KB.
“This impressive feat earned me a part-time job offer from the CEO, a rare opportunity for an intern,” he said. “It was a confidence boost (to have) my abilities recognized in a professional setting.”
This experience fueled his desire to tackle complex challenges in the tech industry. His innovative spirit culminated in a series of competitions, notably the KFUPM Innovation Hackathon last year, in which he led his team to victory in both web and mobile development tracks.
The hackathon provided a platform for students to showcase their skills and creativity. It honed Hakeem’s leadership skills and also reinforced the importance of collaboration in achieving common goals.
“I adapted my approach to motivate each team member according to their needs,” he said. “Being closely involved in every task allowed me to guide the project effectively.”
Hakeem’s graduation project won first place at the KFUPM Graduation Expo in May last year. The project involved integrating with Foodics, the largest point-of-sale system in the Middle East.
He said: “One of our major challenges was securing a partnership with a restaurant to facilitate the integration process. We designated one team member to manage communications with Foodics and the sponsorship, allowing the rest of us to focus on development.”
This strategic division of responsibilities proved crucial in overcoming obstacles and delivering the project.
Recognition followed, especially through social media. Hakeem and his team shared their journey on X, attracting almost 400,000 views. This exposure led to an invitation from the MISK Foundation to join the prestigious MISK Launchpad program in 2023, where they secured a grant to bring their product to market.
“The experience taught me to build real products, not just software solutions,” he said.
The program provided valuable insights into the product development process, shaping Hakeem’s perspective on the importance of creating meaningful solutions that address real-world problems.
His talents caught the eye of major players in the tech industry. During the Metathon competition toward the end of 2023, he impressed judges, including Rehab Alarfaj from the Saudi Data and AI Authority, who offered him a position on her team.
“Joining SDAIA (this year) was a dream come true,” he added. “It’s a sought-after opportunity in the tech community … my goal is to secure recognition for Saudi Arabia in global AI rankings.”
In his current role within the General Management of Partnership and Competitiveness, Hakeem is committed to advancing artificial intelligence in the Kingdom.
He is currently involved in organizing the Global AI Summit, which is set to take place between Sept. 10-12. This event will showcase the Kingdom’s advances in AI and foster collaboration among international experts.
“Contributing to the success of my country is a key goal for me,” Hakeem said.
As Hakeem continues to contribute and innovate, he embodies the spirit of a new generation of young Saudis supported by the nurturing ecosystem of Vision 2030, and dedicated to paving the way and leaving a mark on the tech industry and beyond.
KSA highlights film projects at Toronto festival
- The commission aims to attract global interest in Saudi stories and productions while fostering connections with filmmakers worldwide
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Film Commission is participating in Canada’s 2024 Toronto International Film Festival, which runs until Sept. 15.
One of the world’s top film festivals, it attracts filmmakers, critics and audiences from around the globe, serving as a key platform for the genre.
The commission is this year showcasing a pavilion which features major Saudi film projects and initiatives, offering visitors a chance to explore the Kingdom’s creative film industry.
A delegation from the commission is representing the diverse talent of the Kingdom’s film community, along with some Saudi filmmakers.
The pavilion also highlights the commission’s commitment to advancing Saudi Arabia’s film industry, showcasing recent achievements and opportunities for international collaboration.
The commission aims to attract global interest in Saudi stories and productions while fostering connections with filmmakers worldwide.
Its participation aligns with its strategy to promote Saudi cinema internationally, support local talent, and contribute to the film industry on a global level.
Riyadh to host National Cultural Awards on Monday
- Sixteen awards will be presented, including Cultural Pioneer of the Year, Youth Culture Award, International Cultural Excellence Award, and awards for film, fashion, heritage, music, literature, and theater
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture will host the National Cultural Awards at Riyadh’s King Fahd Cultural Center on Monday.
The awards, which are being held for the fourth time, will honor cultural pioneers from various fields, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
The awards recognize individuals, groups, and institutions for their cultural achievements and artistic talent and “aim to promote excellence across 16 cultural sectors, offering financial and moral support, media exposure, and opportunities to represent the sectors at domestic and international events,” the SPA stated.
Sixteen awards will be presented, including Cultural Pioneer of the Year, Youth Culture Award, International Cultural Excellence Award, and awards for film, fashion, heritage, music, literature, and theater.
Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan thanked Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for his patronage of the awards, which he said highlights “the leadership’s commitment to supporting creativity in the cultural sector.”
Saudi Arabia set to host International AI Olympiad
- Representatives from 25 countries scheduled to take part
RIYADH: A global edition of the International AI Olympiad gets underway in Riyadh on Sunday, with teams from 25 countries expected to take part.
The event, which will run until Thursday, is being organized by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority in collaboration with UNESCO, the International Center for AI Research and Ethics, and the International Research Center on Artificial Intelligence, in Slovenia.
The SDAIA hopes the olympiad will serve as a platform for AI competitions, and nurture talent while fostering skills development, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The event will be a forum for scientists and enthusiasts from around the world to compete and also exchange ideas, enhance capabilities, and explore the latest advances in the field, the SPA added.
The SDAIA has prepared for the event over the past five weeks by holding a series of virtual lectures on AI designed to qualify international teams for the competition and empower students from various countries to expand their knowledge in the sector.
The lectures covered topics such as the social impact of AI and working with data.
